July 13, 2011

Augusta, Ga. -- The U.S. Postal Service is considering moving some mail processing operations from Augusta to Columbia, S.C.

“We do not want to loose our jobs or positions,” said Robert Larmore.

He has been working has a mail handler for about 26 years. Now, cuts to the US Postal Service could cut him out a job.

“We are going to be losing all the out going mail in Augusta,” he said.

That mail would have gone through the hands of Larmore, but now it will be going to a processing center in Columbia.

“We have lost a lot of mail volume; more than 40 billion pieces over the last five years,” said Stephan Seewoster, a communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service.

He says the Augusta mail processing center has more equipment than it needs and there are fewer people mailing letters. A two-month study shows that it costs to much money to keep the machines running to process such a small amount of mail.

Seewoster said cuts had to be made and that is why they are moving some of the mail processing operations from Augusta to Columbia.

“People are not using mail as often as they use to and we have to consolidate,” he said.

That is what Larmore and other postal workers had to learn in a public meeting about the move Tuesday night. They are concerned their craft will be lost as technology advances.

“If they cancel out the outgoing mail operation, then the senior people will loose jobs and that will affect everyone below them, “ Larmore said.

But Seewoster says the move should not put anyone out of a job.

“We have a lot of available positions and we believe no one will loose their jobs," he said.

However, some will have to change their craft. Workers will have the option to transfer to other positions like letter carrier or working the service desk.

Seewoster said the cost-effective move will not affect how fast you get your mail, either.

Meanwhile, for postal workers like Larmore, the only thing for sure is that change is coming.